 The Liturgy of the Word 

Prelude I Smile

Kirk Franklin (Trinity Music Team)

Welcome The Rev. Dr. Lisa Tucker-Gray

Opening Hymn The Gift Of Love Hal H. Hopson

Opening Collect

Leader: The Lord be with you

People: And also with you.

Leader: Let us pray.

Set us free, heavenly Father, from every bond of prejudice and fear; that, honoring the steadfast courage of your servant Absalom Jones, we may show forth in our lives the reconciling love and true freedom of the children of God, which you have given us in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The First Lesson Isaiah 42:5-9

Reader: A reading from Isaiah.

Thus says God, the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people upon it and spirit to those who walk in it:

I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness, I have taken you by the hand and kept you;

I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.

I am the Lord, that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to idols.

See, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth, I tell you of them.

Reader: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.

Psalm Psalm 126

Psalms for Praying

The cantor will sing the first line, and the congregation is invited to join on the bolded text.

When the Divine Lover enters the human heart, all yearnings are fulfilled! Then will our mouths ring forth with laughter, and our tongues with shouts of joy;

Then will we sing our songs of praise to You, O Beloved of all hearts. For gladness will radiate out for all to see; so great is your Presence among us.

Restore us to wholeness, O Healer, like newborn babes who have never strayed from You! May all who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy!

May all who go forth weeping tears of repentance, bearing seeds of Love, Come home to You with shouts of joy, leaving sorrow behind.

Gradual Jesus the Light of the World Geo. D. Elderkin, arr. All are invited to join on refrain below. Verse offered by soloist.

THE GOSPEL John 15:12-15

Deacon: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to Matthew. People: Glory to you, Lord Christ.

Jesus said, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father."

Deacon: The Gospel of the Lord. People: Praise to you, Lord Christ.

You, O God, are supreme and holy. You create our world and give us life. Your purpose overarches everything we do. You have always been with us.

You are God.

You, O God, are infinitely generous, good beyond all measure. You came to us before we came to you. You have revealed and proved your love for us in Jesus Christ, who lived and died and rose again. You are with us now.

You are God.

You, O God, are Holy Spirit

You empower us to be your gospel in the world. You reconcile and heal; you overcome death.

You are our God. We worship you. Amen.

Prayers of the People (Book of Common Prayer, Form 3, p. 387)

Intercessor: God, we pray for your holy Catholic Church; People: that we may be one.

Intercessor: Grant that every member of the Church may truly and humbly serve you;

People: that your Name may be glorified by all people.

Intercessor: We pray for all bishops, priests, and deacons;

People: that they may be faithful ministers of your Word and Sacraments.

Intercessor: We pray for all who govern and hold authority in the nations of the world;

People: that there may be justice and peace on the earth.

Intercessor: Give us grace to do your will in all that we undertake;

People: That our works may find favor in your sight.

Intercessor: Have compassion on those who suffer from any grief or trouble, especially those we name silently or aloud;

People: that they may be delivered from their distress.

Intercessor: Give to the departed eternal rest.

People: Let light perpetual shine upon them.

Intercessor: We praise you for your saints who have entered into joy;

People: May we also come to share in your heavenly kingdom.

Celebrant concludes with a closing collect.